|
Q & A
The Merger
Q Can you describe the concept of the merger?
A This is a merger of two non-profit organizations that each have been dedicated to providing music and education programs for 50 years. The Symphony and the Conservatory have a legal “Memorandum of Understanding” that allows us to pursue a merger that will bring us together for the benefit of the Cape Cod community. The merger will result in an organizational integration of personnel, legal and financial structures, and a newly constituted Board of Trustees.
Q How does the community benefit from this merger?
A The merged organization will be able to combine programs and reach out to the community in new ways. There is also the opportunity to create more programs for students of all ages, including the adult learners who reside here. The combined mission will be “to enrich and further the cultural, educational, and economic interests of our region through music, and to encourage lifelong involvement with superior music and arts education among Cape Cod residents and visitors.”
Q When will the merger be final?
A In order for the merger to take place, the Conservatory needs to raise $300,000 by June 30, 2010. Local foundations have made a challenge grant totaling $100,000. If the challenge to raise the additional $200,000 is met by June 30, 2010, it is expected that the merger will take place by August 31, 2010.
Q Why is one entity better than two separate organizations?
A Currently, the two organizations are doing many things separately that can be better accomplished as a combined effort. Merging the two groups will result in increased operating efficiencies and more opportunities to integrate music and arts education.
Q Where did the idea of a merger originate?
A Collaborations between the Conservatory and the Symphony have existed for some time. Recently, both Boards recognized and acknowledged that their musical missions and their music and arts education programs are similar and that a merger would be beneficial.
Q Will one organization benefit more than the other in this merger?
A No. The combined organization will become the single largest arts organization on Cape Cod with an expanded regional reach. The community will benefit from the combined strength of these two organizations.
Q Do other orchestras have music schools as part of their organizations?
A Yes. For example, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School.
Q Will this merger affect the Symphony’s state and national ranking as a symphony orchestra organization?
A No. The only ranking for a symphony orchestra is budget size. The merger will not result in an increase in budget size of the Symphony.
The New Organization
Q Will there be a name change for either organization?
A The name of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra will remain the same. The new name for the Conservatory will be the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra Conservatory of Music and Arts. Both organizations will be subsidiaries of the new operating entity – Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
Q Who will be in charge of the merged organization?
A There will be a newly constituted CCSO, Inc. Board of Trustees made up of Trustees from both entities that will provide oversight to the merged organization. This new Board will make policy decisions for both the Symphony and the Conservatory.
Q Will CCSO Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak be involved with the Conservatory?
A Jung-Ho Pak will continue to serve as CCSO Artistic Director and Conductor. Because of his proven commitment and experience with music education he will serve as Artistic Advisor to the Conservatory. His expertise will greatly enhance the education program planning and also create a feeling of goodwill among participants, faculty, donors, and the community. His involvement will help to broaden the financial support for the Conservatory.
Q Will staff positions be eliminated?
A There is no plan to eliminate staff; in fact, some staff will be added to develop new program opportunities. Some staff roles may shift as programs are developed. The position of Executive Director of the Conservatory will be changed to Director of Education.
Q How will this affect the musicians in the orchestra?
A CCSO musicians will have additional employment opportunities with the expansion of programs at the Conservatory.
Q Will the CCSO concert schedule change?
A Not at all. As new educational programs evolve, there is the possibility that the Symphony could add more concerts – summer concerts on the site of the Conservatory, family concerts, and outdoor summer Pops concerts, for example.
Q How will this affect the teachers at the Conservatory?
A Teachers at the Conservatory will continue in their present roles of instructing students. As programs expand and student enrollment increases, new opportunities for existing faculty will arise and new faculty may be needed.
Q Will you keep the current administrative structure for both organizations?
A There will be some minor changes in the administrative structure for the merged organization. Both the Symphony and the Conservatory will have distinct staff responsibilities; however, the economy of scale makes it possible to look at some departments and create cost-saving measures. As a result, we may allocate job functions in marketing, development, and administration/finance in order to better serve the needs of the merged organization. We will always seek the most qualified staff members to serve in the positions required.
Q Where will the administration headquarters be for the new organization?
A We plan to move the Symphony administrative office to the Conservatory’s West Barnstable campus. Temporary structures may be needed until some upgrading of the West Barnstable facility can be carried out.
Q Will you keep both the Falmouth and the West Barnstable campus of the Conservatory?
A Yes. The Falmouth campus creates many opportunities to better serve the residents of the Upper Cape through program expansion. The West Barnstable campus is key to program development. The building and land provide the opportunity for developing new program opportunities. Because West Barnstable is centrally located, it will continue to provide access to students, faculty, and Symphony ticket buyers.
Donations/Support
Q Why is a merger important to me as a donor?
A The merger will not only create more opportunities to provide music and arts education programs, but it will also result in a single, efficiently run organization. Therefore, your donation to the Conservatory or the Symphony will be enhanced because of this merger and more of your donation can directly support education programs.
Q Will the Symphony use any of its resources for the merger?
A The Symphony may provide staff expertise in the areas of fundraising, marketing, and development to successfully meet the challenge of raising $200,000 by June 30, 2010.
Q Will the Conservatory use any of its resources for the merger?
A The Conservatory is challenged with raising the necessary funds to make this merger happen. Any expenses related to the fundraising campaign will be paid by the Conservatory.
Q How will this merger affect revenue and donations of both organizations?
A We expect the merger to create a new excitement for the largest music, education, and arts organization in the region. As a result, community support from individuals, businesses, and foundations is expected to be stronger than ever.
The Campaign
Q How does the challenge gift work?
A Three local foundations combined their resources to create a challenge grant. They will make a gift of $100,000 if the Conservatory can raise $200,000 by June 30, 2010. In other words, for every $2 raised, the foundations will match $1.
Q Who are the challenge grant donors?
A The challenge grant donors are the Bilezikian Family Foundation, the Cape Cod Foundation, and the Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Foundation.
Q How will the donations to this special campaign be used?
A The $300,000 will be used over a three-year period following the merger to cover the costs associated with a continuation of providing the programs currently offered by the Conservatory and to set the stage for the development of new programs.
Q What will happen to campaign donations if you don’t raise the $200,000 toward the challenge gift?
A We have every expectation that we will meet the challenge to raise $200,000 by June 30, 2010. However, if $200,000 is not raised by the deadline, all donations will be returned to donors.
Q In the future if I make a donation to the Symphony, will it be used to support the Conservatory?
A No. Tax deductible donations can be made specifically to either the Symphony or the Conservatory and will be used to support operations of the Symphony or Conservatory respectively. Of course, donors may always designate a program that they wish to fund – for example, the Symphony’s Young People’s Concert or scholarships for students at the Conservatory.
Q In the future if I make a donation to the Conservatory, will it be used to support the Symphony?
A No. As explained, we will maintain separate operating centers for both the Symphony and the Conservatory.
Education Programs
Q Are there enough music students on Cape Cod to make a music school worthwhile?
A The vision for a merger between the Symphony and the Conservatory is to create a strong educational program that appeals to students of all ages. As budgets for music programs in public schools are being decreased, the demand for music instruction at the Conservatory is increasing. Utilizing the Conservatory campus all day by offering adult and college age programs and year-round by offering a variety of summer music camps, as well as increasing the music instruction programs for younger students is a good use of the buildings and surrounding campus.
Q Won’t there be duplication of music education programs when the merger takes place?
A No. Both the Symphony and the Conservatory provide some programs and educational opportunities that are different and some that are similar. For example: the Symphony does not teach private music lesson classes, but the orchestra musicians do teach lessons independently from the Symphony. Several Symphony musicians serve on the Conservatory faculty. In the future, all musicians will benefit from having a campus facility as a location for student lessons.
Q What will happen to the Symphony’s education program MusicWorks! ?
A MusicWorks! will continue to provide excellent music education outreach. The merger provides the opportunity for curriculum planning and program development integration as a partnership between the Symphony and the Conservatory. Only after careful evaluation and planning would any curriculum or programs be changed |
